Fun daily driver for under $18k

[freshwhite335]

Okay so my dad is ditching his gas guzzling Hemi Jeep which he used to drive to work and he wants to get something fun to drive to work but fun doesnt necessarily mean fast. and at the same time it has to be semi-practical.
keep in mind he has an e39 m5. and the e39 is like a tank so he likes that solid feel.

heres what i came up with:

gti[new]
r32[used]
acura mdx [used]
acura tl [used]
acura tsx [used]
lexus rx [used]
infiniti g35 sedan [used]
infiniti fx [used]
volvo s60 r [used[

and what i want him to get: a volvo v70 r manual [its fun to drive and we dont lose all of the utility of the truck]

[blue2fire]

I dont know if you can get a new GTi for 18,000 and the S60R isnt good on gas at all...

Used 325i?

[freshwhite335]

well anything would be better then the 13mpg hes getting in the Jeep.
i would obviously prefer a BMW but a 325 doesnt have much utility. I have him leaning towards a V70 R. I like wagons, dont care if people think theyre dorky.

and ur right about t a gti. $18k would probably buy a very lightly used one.

[imported_mega]

dont forget used e46 m3, that would match his m5 nicely

they are cheap now, 13-18k lots here in atlanta, and that's asking price on autotrader

[freshwhite335]

well his m5 CPO warranty will be up in June and I don't think buying another out of warranty M car would be wise

[200Duece]

R32

[imported_mega]

any of those used cars out of warranty is something to consider

for like 23k you can get the 300hp v6 camaro

[ZJP]

Originally Posted by imported_mega

dont forget used e46 m3, that would match his m5 nicely

That would be silly since he already has an e39 m5 and the e46 m3 doesn't exactly get great gas mileage either...

I vote acura tl type-s.

[imported_mega]

compared to the hemi jeep it's considerably better mileage

most of the cars on the list, including all acura's are so bland and generic

[Artmasterx]

Mazdaspeed3? You can certainly find an 07 for under $18k. They are fun, have decent cargo capabilities, and should be fairly reliable.

An S4 avant would be nice, but it may be difficult to find any less than $20k. I imagine an A4 wagon could be had easily for under $18k.

[Heinzftw]

I would go for the MazdaSpeed 3
Here's one I found on craigslist.
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/1195824288.html

[cougfan335]

I have to agree with you on the V70r, I really like the fast Volvos.

[jopa489]

Wouldn't really call the RX fun to drive, it's a floaty SUV. Same goes for the MDX.

The TL is a nice ride, but the new design really sucks. Guess if he's looking for a previous-generation one that won't matter though. Wasn't a fan of the buzzy 4-banger in the previous generation TSX either, though this has been rectified in the new one from what I hear. Not a fan of the old G35s either - they weren't great. G37 is a pretty big improvement.

How about a new Civic Si? Plenty of fun for the buck. Used TL Type-S? Perhaps a slightly used Lancer Ralliart. GTI is a good choice too, as is a used Mazdaspeed3 or 3 series wagon. Volvos don't do anything for me personally. He needs to figure out what direction he wants to go if he's considering a GTI and an RX. They're complete opposites.

[roozie2001]

Honda insight. A blastttttt to drive.

[CaliE90]

scion xb

[Sniz]

Volvo V70r is a great choice, I was one of the early adopters of the S60r and had one of the more heavily modded ones in the US.

loved it, would probably still have it if it didnt get totaled by a deer.

the seats in that car as simply the best I have ever sat in.

[DocSean]

mazdaspeed3 undoubtedly

[WishBone33]

*1990-1996 Nissan 300ZX
*1985-1991 Porche 944 Turbo
*1999-2000 Honda Civic SI
*1995-2001 BMW 740i/750iL
*2002-2006 Acura RSX
*2002-2003 Subaru Impreza WRX
*2001-2005 VW GTI
*1998-2002 Chevy Camaro Z28
*2001-2005 Audi A4
*2000-2002 Audi S4

(Source from Edmunds.com/insideline "10 Best Used Cars for $9,999")

[s1cke92]

get a TSX

[ZStig]

mini cooper

[GreenThree]

r32 or GTI

[freshwhite335]

Originally Posted by Sniz

Volvo V70r is a great choice, I was one of the early adopters of the S60r and had one of the more heavily modded ones in the US.

loved it, would probably still have it if it didnt get totaled by a deer.

the seats in that car as simply the best I have ever sat in.

yeah the seats are awesome. and even though i wouldnt want one theres nothing like the solid feel of a volvo